‘Dance the night away’
Some of us are probably a little unsure whether they ‘know they can dance’ but plenty would still love ‘one-man bands’ and might argue they still have ‘thunder in their heart’.
They might also ‘love you more than I can say’, enjoy ‘long tall glasses’ and might even ‘feel like dancing’.
Sound confusing? Not if you are a fan of international pop-music icon Leo Sayer.
All are references to Sayer songs and lyrics that have become burnt in the memory of a generation.
Sayer, who emerged from the British music scene and rose to international stardom in the 1970s with a variety of hits, will bring his touring show and band to Horsham Town Hall on March 8.
The Grammy Award-winning legend, who calls Australia home, will visit Horsham as part of his three-month Just a Boy at 70 tour, before a European tour later this year.
Sayer said in an interview from NSW’S southern highlands that he was keen to return to Horsham after performing in a Spirit of the Bush concert at Longerenong many years ago.
“I love it when a tour goes inside Australia,” he said.
“When we used to tour in the old days logistics meant we could only play in the capital cities and you would never get to experience the interior.
“But since I’ve been in Australia and had an Australian band, I love going to the burbs and bush.
“And we should be doing that – playing in places such as Horsham.
“I have a good friend who lives in Ararat and I know the area very well.”
Sayer has maintained a strong connection with loyal fans dating back to when he was establishing himself as an international star.
“Everybody remembers the music of their time. There’s an emotional connection and often people can remember what they were doing when they hear music they listened to in the past. It helps us remember,” he said.
“And the records we in the industry made at the time were good records that still sound good on radio today. They seemed to strike a chord with people.
“We didn’t have all the stress today of mobile phones and social media and had to put everything, with all the emotion, onto a three-minute platter.
“Good songs become iconic, like old paintings where you just want to climb into the atmosphere of what artists are thinking.
“At the time we never thought our songs would ever last this long.
“We thought we were making music for others in their 20s and as soon as we turned 25 they would be old hat. It’s extraordinary that people continue to associate with the songs. It shows that music is a continuing template and communicates well across generations.
“We played a gig at Crown in Melbourne before Christmas and invited some people back stage – there was about 18 in the finish.
“There was a guy and his wife who were a bit older than me and then they had their kids who were in their 40s and 50s.
“They too had kids, 20 and 25, and then there were younger kids in the extended family who were five and six.
“Everyone was into ‘Leo Sayer’ and when the five-year-old sang a song back to me I thought ‘how magic is that?’ It was amazing.
“I asked my manager what fame is and he said being popular from six to 60.”
Sayer said as well as obvious highs, he had experienced quiet moments in his career, particularly in the late 1980s and ’90s when ‘everyone wanted young people’.
“It really stopped for me and was one of the reasons I came to Australia. But now it’s changed around and while it’s hard to sell new acts they can still sell our songs,” he said.
Sayer said his shows were all about ‘aiming to please’.
“All the hits are in there with probably a couple of new songs. We have a fantastic band which has a magic connection on stage,” he said.
And his thoughts on where he found the energy to continue performing at a hectic level despite turning 70?
“If I knew that I would bottle it. But I’m still hungry and ambitious.”
Tickets to Leo Sayer Just a Boy at 70 in Horsham are available online at www. horshamtownhall.com.au.